🇧🇪 Bruges & Brussels — Cobblestones and Canals
Arriving in Bruges in late May was a beautiful — sunshine with a sprinkle of rain, making the city glow in that fairytale way. We stayed in Brussels and took the train to Bruges, which was really easy and comfortable. My husband had visited Bruges years ago, so it was fun to see the city again through his eyes, while I experienced it for the first time.
We started by climbing the Belfry of Bruges, where the view of medieval houses, canals, and winding streets felt like stepping into a living painting. Walking through the streets, we admired the old gabled houses, paused for hot chocolate at Café Nomad (seems we keep finding places with that name!), and got caught in a brief May shower — but luckily, the sun always returned. We loved wandering random paths, discovering corners that felt untouched by time. We also admired The Markt, the lively square with colorful façades — the heartbeat of Bruges.
🎬 The Movie Connection – In Bruges
Many visitors — and we too — often think of Bruges through the lens of In Bruges. The film captures the moody, timeless atmosphere of the city with its cobblestone streets, quiet canals, and medieval architecture. Watching the characters wander those streets gives you a cinematic sense of the city’s stillness and hidden corners.
For us, it was fun to spot locations from the movie in real life — the belfry, the canals, little bridges — and see how the filmmakers amplified the city’s charm and mystery. While the movie has dark humor and fictional drama, the actual Bruges feels warmer, brighter, and more magical, especially on a sunny May day.
🎨 Artist Notes
Bruges is a living gallery: every canal reflection, every brick façade, every lace pattern feels like it was composed by centuries of artists. Climbing the Belfry reminded us of how painters like Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling captured the city’s architecture and light. The Groeningemuseum houses incredible Flemish Primitives — their delicate colours and attention to detail continue to inspire.
The contrast between Bruges’ medieval charm and Brussels’ modernist eccentricity felt refreshing.
🗺️ Places We Visited
Bruges – Belfry, Markt, winding streets, canals, Café Nomad
Brussels – Magritte Museum, city squares, chocolate shops
💡 Mini-Captions Highlights
Belfry of Bruges – panoramic view, cobblestones, history in every brick
Random Walks – winding streets, canals, and small bridges leading to surprises
Café Nomad – hot chocolate and a cozy pause
The Markt – lively square, colorful façades, heartbeat of the city
Magritte Museum – surrealist wonder in Brussels
🎨 Bruges Color Palette – An Artist’s Eye
Bruges feels like a living painting, and here are the colors that capture its spirit:
Brick Reds & Terracotta – from the old gabled houses, warm and earthy
Canal Blues & Reflections – deep and shifting, mirroring the sky and architecture
Slate Grey & Cobblestone – streets and rooftops, grounding the cityscape
Soft Greens & Window Shutters – plants along canals, garden touches, subtle pops
Flower Accents – window boxes and bridges, bright splashes of reds, pinks, yellows
Golden Sunlight – especially in May, bringing warmth to façades and canals
